Running Through the Delta: The Mississippi River Marathon Set for Feb. 9

Runners from throughout the region will head to Lake Village next weekend for the inaugural Mississippi River Marathon on Feb. 9. The race, a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, features full and half marathon options, as well as a one-mile community run. Online registration is open until midnight CST on Feb. 2. All mail-in registrations must be postmarked by Friday, Feb. 1.

Considered to be the flattest courses in North America, organizers of the event say it’s the perfect route for first time marathoners or the more experienced runner looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Nearly 1400 entrants from 38 states have registered so far and more are expected through the registration deadline.

The races start in Arkansas and end in Greenville, MS. Along the way, runners will pass or stop at a few of the highlights of the Arkansas Delta town of Lake Village, including beautiful Lake Chicot (Arkansas’s largest natural lake and North America’s largest oxbow lake), the site where Charles Lindbergh make his first night flight, and the Arkansas Welcome Center. The runners will leave The Natural State via the scenic Highway 82 Mississippi River Bridge. The finish line is located in downtown Greenville, MS.